Baltimore Orioles 2001
Toronto Blue Jays 1999
Third Baseman (R/R) Height: 6’2” Weight: 195 lbs
Born: 8-23-73, Des Moines, Iowa
College: Wichita State
Age at MLB Debut: 26
Quick Stats
2000 Age 26 AAA 293 AB, .317/.408/.529, 22 2B, 12 HR
2001 Age 27 AAA 375 AB, .309/.376/.485, 24 2B, 10 HR
2002 Age 28 AAA 482 AB, .309/.386/.492, 25 2B, 19 HR
2002 Age 28 AL 20 AB, .200/.273/.250, 1 2B, 0 HR
2003 Age 29 AL 557 AB, .257/.312/.411, 35 2B, 17 HR
Signed as a minor-league free agent, 12-18-02
Comments:
4-1-03
If Gutierrez can’t go, Blake might be the first in line to start. In Minnesota, Blake was stuck behind Corey Koskie at third. This year might be Blake’s best and last chance to make it in the majors.
7-15-03
CLE 268 AB, .269/.331/.451, 19 2B, 10 HR
Blake, after a bad start, has really done a good job at third, providing decent defense with some power, exactly what the Indians needed from him. If he can put these numbers up consistently for the next couple of years, the Indians can afford to be patient with Peralta/Smith/Whitney or whomever is the current “Third Baseman of the Future”. A minor-league free agent from the Twins system, Blake will be a bargain for the next two years.
Contract: 1 year, $352,400
2004 Salary: $352,400
Arbitration: 2005
Free Agency: 2008
6-96: Drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays (7th Round); Assigned to Hagerstown (A)
Started 1997 in Dunedin (A)
?-?-98: Promoted to Knowville (AA)
Started 1999 in Syracuse (AAA)
9-?-99: Contract Purchased and Recalled to Toronto (MLB Debut)
Started 2000 in Syracuse (AAA)
5-23-00: Outrighted from 40-Man Roster; Claimed off waivers by the Minnesota Twins
5-23-00: Assigned to Salt Lake City (AAA)
9-?-00: Recalled by Minnesota
Started 2001 in Edmonton (AAA)*
6-6-01: Recalled by Minnesota
7-20-01: Optioned to Edmonton (AAA)
9-21-01: Designated for Assignment; Claimed off waivers by the Baltimore Orioles and Recalled
10-?-01: Signed with the Minnesota Twins
11-20-01: Outrighted to Edmonton (AAA)
5-10-02: Contract Purchased and Recalled by Minnesota
5-25-02: Optioned to Edmonton (AAA)
10-15-02: Became a minor-league free agent
12-18-02: Signed a minor-league contract with the Cleveland Indians
3-29-03: Contract Purchased by Cleveland ($330,000 salary)